[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 1, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21811-21812]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10978]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA 2001-9473]


Notice of Safety Advisory

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Safety Advisory.

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SUMMARY: FRA is issuing Safety Advisory 2001-03 addressing the in-
service failures of railroad airbrake system trainline angle cocks 
manufactured by Ellcon-National. The manufacturer notified the 
Association of American Railroads (AAR) of failures of Model 7000 
Thread-to-Thread and Model 7270 Thread-to-Flange Angle Cocks. To date, 
no derailments, collisions, or injuries have resulted from these 
failures; however, closed angle cocks occurring en route may lead to 
insufficient braking and in the worst case could result in runaway 
trains on grades. FRA recommends that all railroads and private car 
owners obtain a copy of AAR's Early Warning EW-177 (C-9296) issued on 
March 29, 2001, and review the document's extensive listing of cars 
that had the subject angle cocks installed as original equipment. FRA 
also recommends that cars found with the original angle cocks still 
installed have the angle cocks replaced, at both ends, or be 
retrofitted with a handle assembly torque kit in accordance with AAR's 
guidance. AAR has applied Severity Code ``MG,'' which means ``See Early 
Warning Letter for Instructions.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Fairbanks, Mechanical Engineer, 
Motive Power and Equipment Division, Office of Safety Assurance and 
Compliance, FRA, 400 Seventh Street, SW, RRS-14, Mail Stop 25, 
Washington, DC 20590 (Telephone 202-493-6322/ Fax 202-493-6230)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Recently, FRA was informed by the 
Association of American Railroads (AAR) of several in-service failures 
of certain Ellcon-National angle cocks, Model 7000 Thread-to-Thread, 
and Model 7270 Thread-to-Flange. No injuries or fatalities resulted 
from these incidents which involved several car types, but some of the 
subject angle cocks have been found to have rotated partially or 
completely closed due to en route vibrations of the train. This 
undesired rotation of the angle cock has been identified by crew 
members in several instances on trains while operating en route and in 
one case, necessitated the need to activate an emergency brake 
application from the two-way end-of-train (EOT) device.
    The AAR issued Maintenance Advisory MA-65 on September 13, 2000, 
regarding these angle cocks, and then upgraded its concern by issuing 
Early Warning EW-177 on March 29, 2001. The AAR's Braking Systems and 
Equipment Engineering Committees have determined that the angle cocks 
without the latest friction disc, which is a \1/4\-inch thick stop 
plate and handle assembly, must either be replaced or have the handle 
assembly retrofitted on non-register version. A number of conditions 
have been found on samples of the subject angle cocks that cause 
concern, such as roll pins protruding from the handles, worn leger lock 
tangs, bent lock tangs, and bent or distorted handle assemblies.
    The subject angle cocks were applied to new cars and furnished as 
replacement stock beginning in January of 1993. The AAR recommended 
that

[[Page 21812]]

the first priority would be to replace or retrofit those angle cocks 
manufactured between 1993 and 1996, as those are without friction discs 
and modified handle assemblies. Ellcon-National has accounted for 
approximately 16,700 angle cocks applied during this period as original 
equipment on new freight cars. However, Ellcon-National notified the 
AAR that between January 1993 and March 2000 approximately 97,000 angle 
cocks that have a potential for failure were applied to cars.
    Ellcon-National is offering handle assembly torque kits upon 
request, as well as field service support. For more information, 
contact Mr. Brian Driggers or Inside Sales Department personnel at 
Ellcon-National at 864-277-5000 or E-mail: national.com">sales@ellcon-national.com. 
The AAR requests that each removed part be tagged with the car's 
initials and number, and that Ellcon-National be contacted to arrange 
for disposition or return of accumulated angle cocks or handle 
assemblies.

Action Recommended by FRA

     FRA recommends that all railroads and private car owners 
obtain a copy of AAR's Early Warning EW-177 (C-9296) issued on March 
29, 2001, and review the document's extensive listing of cars that had 
the subject angle cocks installed as original equipment.
     FRA also recommends that cars found with the original 
angle cocks still installed have the angle cocks replaced, at both 
ends, or be retrofitted with a handle assembly torque kit in accordance 
with AAR's guidance. AAR has applied Severity Code ``MG,'' which means 
``See Early Warning Letter for Instructions.''
    It should be noted that the AAR in conjunction with railroads, 
private car owners, and Ellcon-National has also developed an action 
plan to focus on and accelerate the angle cock modifications on the 
cars equipped with the above noted angle cocks. For more information, 
FRA recommends that railroads and private car owners contact Mr. 
Patrick T. Ameen, Assistant Vice President Technical Services, 
Association of American Railroads, 50 F street, NW., Washington, DC 
20001-1564, (202) 639-2141.
    FRA may modify Safety Advisory 2001-03, issue additional safety 
advisories, or take other appropriate action to ensure the highest 
level of safety on the Nation's railroads.

    Issued in Washington, DC on April 26, 2001.
George A. Gavalla,
Associate Administrator for Safety.
[FR Doc. 01-10978 Filed 4-30-01; 8:45 am]
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